Good morning. Can anyone tell me how long I need to keep chicks under the heat lamp before I can move them to the rest of the flock. They hatched from the incubator 2 weeks ago and I don't have a broody hen to put them under. Thanks.

They need to have access to heat for 4 - 6 weeks. You can gradually decrease the heat by raising the lamp or using a lower wattage globe. I move mine outside at about 4 weeks as they outgrow the brooder but give them a cosy 'bedroom/cold brooder. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8034902&p=834358#p834358Chicks are best reared separately to your adult flock for health and safety. The older birds are likely to pick on them until they are mature (about 18 weeks or POL depending on breed).Young birds are also susceptible to several diseases which may be carried by mature birds. As you chicks get older, they will develop some immunity to these.Your chicks also need a different diet to your adult birds - chick grower until 6 - 8 weeks and then a Grower feed until maturity. Laying adult birds should not eat these feeds.

I don't have the capacity to keep them separate but I'll figure something out. I have a hen that's just gone broody but when I tried to give her a couple of the chicks she wasn't interested so I thought I'd try her again in a week or so.

The chicks might be a bit old to be accepted by a hen... An especially dedicated individual may take them on but most hens won’t be interested if the chicks aren’t within a few days of hatching. It’s worth a try though as long as you’re prepared to step in fast if she’s not happy about the chicks.

Generally I’d have a hen sitting for at least one week before giving her eggs or chicks.

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